Sarangani, ILLAM drop AsPac baseball openers

CLARK, Philippines – Foreign rivals made it a gloomy opening-day for host Philippines as they handed debuting Sarangani and ILLAM stinging losses in the 2016 Asia Pacific Intermediate and Senior League Baseball Tournament on a rainy Monday at Clark International Sports Complex at The Villages.

Japan stamped its class on Sarangani, 8-0, to usher in hostilities in morning hostilities in the Intermediate 50/70 division on the wet Field 3 while Australia walloped ILLAM, 21-4, over in Senior League play afternoon session on Field 1.

The Japanese unleashed a five-run spree in the second inning to break away from the Saranggani players, who were apparently showing nerves and inexperience in their baptism of fire in international baseball.

“Maganda naman ang pinakita ng mga bata (They played well) considering this is our first time and we played Japan. Japan is used to playing in the World Series unlike us,who play in the Palarong Pambansa,” said coach Lord Ken Naval, whose team won the 50/70 title during the last Palaro.

Taisei Okui and Taketo Ikenaka pounced on successive passed balls by Phl to open scoring for Japan.

Yuma Hara made it 4-0 with a two-run double before Suguru Taniguchi dashed home while the Pinoys were picking off runner Seiya Matsushita.

Hara scored from third off a balk then Issei Yoshizaki drove in Komin Toda as Japan widened the gap in the opener of the tourney sponsored by Mister Donut and Philippine Sports Commission.

“We did our best. We were hitting their pitches but just couldn’t translate it to runs, and we had some catching errors. Hopefully we lessen those next game,” Naval said.

A contingent of supporters led by Gov. Steve Solon, Vice Gov. Elmer de Peralta, Maitum, Sarangani Mayor Alexander Bryan Riganit,Provincial Board members and parents were on hand to witness the team’s first foray in the AsPac.

Meanwhile, Phl’s Senior League bets, ILLAM, were in the thick of things at the end of five innings as they trailed by just two at 4-6. But their defense faltered, allowing the Aussies to score 15 runs in the last two innings that hastened their fall.

Guam foiled defending champion CNMI, 12-7, in the other Seniors encounter.